John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

29. VI: Despatches from Mogadore, from Tripoli, and from the Island of Bermuda— Mr Poletica, brought back the copy of the Treaty, which I had lent him, and also copies of some of his Instructions; and one of the Protocols of the Congress at Aix-La Chapelle— It simply establishes the principle that the allied Powers will hereafter consider a Resident, as an intermediate rank in diplomatic etiquette, between Ministers of the second order, and chargés d’Affaires; and that they will communicate to one another, their respective regulations upon the subject of Salutes by Ships of War, in order to agree upon some definitive general rule to be observed by all. Poletica observed that he had communicated this Protocol, to Mr Hyde de Neuville; who had heard nothing of it— But he observed that as Mr Greuhm is here with the character of Minister Resident from Prussia, and had not been officially informed of this new regulation, if he should feel any reluctance to complying with it, he Poletica would very cheerfully yield the precedence to him— One of the Instructions that he gave me to read was from the Emperor Alexander himself— It was in the nature of a circular upon leaving Aix La Chapelle to all his Ministers in foreign Countries, and its principal object was to direct them every where to discountenance the idea, the he was the founder of the system of the European Alliance, which he says the enemies of the system 120industriously circulate with bad intentions. He says that the system arose from the course of Events, and the necessities of the times: that all were parties and all the allied Sovereigns equally entitled to the credit of it— In this instruction there is something of the Emperor’s sagacity; something of his humility, and something of his vanity; for Alexander’s humility is politic—and he is not a little vain of it— The instruction which he takes the pains of writing with his own hands, relates entirely to his own person; and his Ministers in complying with it, could not fail to set forth by a due commentary upon this wonderful self denial, and lowly-mindedness of their master the transcendent excellence of his character. The other Instructions were from the Russian Ministry, and related to various topics—one the affairs of Spain and South America; and another concerning those of the United States and Spain— Poletica is charged by all the means in his power, to promote an amicable arrangement of the latter; but no opinion is given as to the merits of the controversy— Some apprehension is expressed that the Government of the United States, yielding to popular clamours will have recognized the Independence of some of the South-American Colonies, before he arrives here; but if not, his orders are to use all his endeavours, with every suitable deference to this Government, to dissuade them from such an act of hostility to Spain— He is also instructed to use his powers of persuasion to prevail upon the Government of the United States, not to associate itself with the European Alliance, but to pursue a course of policy in harmony with them; hinting that a contrary course of policy could not be carried into effect; and that the United States whether willing or not, must follow the impulse of Europe combined— All this he communicated to me, not officially, but in perfect confidence, in return for that with which I had communicated to him the copy of the Treaty with Spain— I entered into a long conversation with him upon these various topics which is to be resumed hereafter. I assured him again of the unabated friendly disposition of this Government towards the Emperor; and of our earnest desire without being associated with the European Alliance, to pursue a course of policy entirely in harmony with theirs— That we were deeply penetrated with the importance of preserving the general tranquility of the World, and had contributed our earnest efforts to it so far, as it depended upon ourselves. That as to our differences with Spain, he had upon his arrival here found them amicably adjusted; subject only to the ratification of the King of Spain. That in agreeing to that Treaty we had made very important sacrifices of our own claims, for the sake of an amicable arrangement— Things had come to such a pass, that the only alternative was a Treaty or a rupture. If the king of Spain should ratify the Treaty, with the explanation to be given by Mr Forsyth at the Exchange of the Ratifications, there was no prospect of any interruption to the general tranquility by any relations of ours; but it was my private opinion, that if the king of Spain should decline or delay the ratification of the Treaty, Congress would at their next Session, authorize the occupation of the Florida’s, and probably there would be a recognition, at least of the Government of Buenos-Ayres— I wished him to give this information to his Government— I related to him all that has been done by us concerning the South-American question— Told him we were convinced that Buenos-Ayres at least would maintain her Independence of Spain— That sooner or later they must be recognized as an Independent power— That we had thought the time would before now have arrived when they might justly claim this as a right, but that from the time when we learnt that the allies had determined whatever might be the event of their mediation, not to use force against the South-Americans, the President had concluded that we might also forbear to take an immediate decisive part in their favour. He said there was doubtless a difference of opinion between us, on this matter— That possibly Buenos-Ayres might in the end be able totally to throw off the yoke of Spain, but that they were not competent to establish a regular and independent Government of their own. However he declared in the most positive and solemn manner, that Russia had no special alliance, or peculiarly intimate connection with Spain— That the Emperor was utterly averse to all exclusive or partial alliances, and he had no particular engagements with Spain— The ships sent to Cadix had been merely sold—a dear bargain; and without any intention of the Emperor to take side with Spain in her quarrel with the Colonies. Though he, Poletica, had not approved of that transaction— He promised hereafter to shew me all the Protocols that he had, of the Conferences at Aix La Chapelle— The hour of five stole upon our Conversation, which we agreed to resume at a future day— There was a heavy thunder shower, and I rode home— We had an Evening tea-party and dancing of Cotillions, at our house; about sixty persons came, and as many more were 121prevented from coming, by the weather. Poletica asked me this Evening, what style of address he should use, in writing official Notes or Letters— I told him, without giving any titles of honour, either to the President, or the Secretary of State— He said he had always been aware that the title of His Excellency was not suitable to the President; but he had observed it was given here to the Governors of the States, and it was every where given in Europe to the Officers corresponding to our Heads of Departments— I told him the Governors of the States were Excellencies, by the State Constitutions, but that the Constitution of the United States recognized no titles of honour, in the Officers appointed under it; and that our point of honour consisted in the exclusion of all such titles— “Praefulgebant Cassius atque Brutus, eo ipso, quod effigies eorum non visebantur.”